Revealed: how long you really spend waiting at traffic lights

Red traffic lights
Sometimes it can seem like every light you come to is red Credit: Getty Images

New research suggests British motorists spend a fifth of their average daily drive waiting at red lights

Sometimes it can feel like you spend half your life sitting at red lights, and while things aren’t quite that bad yet, new research shows that the average Briton does spend more than two days a year waiting for the traffic lights to turn green.

The research, which was conducted by the comparison website Confused.com, also discovered that for British motorists who drive every day, a fifth of their time in a car is spent waiting at red lights.

Perhaps this isn’t surprising given the recent growth in the number of traffic lights on UK roads; British drivers now face 33,800 sets of them, a 23 per cent increase since 2013.

The resulting frustration has persuaded many Britons to take matters into their own hands, with nearly three in 10 people (29 per cent) admitting they have driven through a red light and nearly a third of those (32 per cent) doing so deliberately.

Traffic police
If you're caught running a red light, it can mean a fine and penalty points

Reasons for driving through a red light vary, with a third saying they were running late and a similar number claiming they didn’t see the light turn red. Meanwhile, a fifth say they deliberately drove through a red light because they were angry at the light for turning red.

However, it’s not all bad news, with many motorists using the time they spend sitting stationary to do other things. The most common activity while stopped at a red is adjusting the stereo (59 per cent), while more than a third of people (38 per cent) adjust the air-con and a similar number (36 per cent) eat a snack.

Commenting on the findings, Matt Lloyd of Confused.com said: “Red lights are a frustration for many drivers on the road but they are a necessity to keep traffic moving in a timely and orderly fashion.

“On some days, it can seem like the lights are against you and it can feel like the wait is longer than normal, but rushing through a red light can cause problems for drivers and pedestrians alike. And getting caught can cause you problems with your insurance.”

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